Pack light, modest and layered. A southern trip swings from a hot Ouarzazate afternoon to a cold night on the Erg Chebbi dunes and a chilly dawn over the Tizi n'Tichka in a single day, so breathable layers, broken-in walking shoes and one genuinely warm top cover almost everything.
The essentials
These earn their place in any Morocco bag, in any season.
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes — medina cobblestones are uneven.
- Breathable layers and one genuinely warm layer (desert and mountain nights drop fast).
- Modest cover-up — shoulders and knees covered for medinas, mosques and villages.
- Sun hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+; a scarf doubles as sun, dust and modesty cover.
- A reusable water bottle, a small day-pack, and a Type C/E plug adaptor (220V).
By trip type
For the Sahara out of Merzouga or Erg Chigaga, add a warm fleece or down layer, a headlamp for the walk between tent and dune, a shemagh or scarf against blowing sand, and slip-on shoes you can empty easily. For the gorges and Atlas passes above Ouarzazate, bring proper walking shoes and a windproof layer for the higher viewpoints. For the kasbah road itself, sun protection is the priority — the pre-Saharan plateau offers almost no shade.
What to leave behind
You don't need to over-pack toiletries or fine jewellery. Souks sell argan oil, soaps and scarves beautifully and cheaply, and flashy valuables only draw attention in crowds. Leave room in your bag — you will buy things.
Frequently asked
What should women wear in Morocco?
Loose, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful and comfortable. You don't need to cover your hair except inside certain religious sites. A scarf is the most versatile item you can pack.
Do I need warm clothes for the Sahara?
Yes. Desert days are warm to hot, but nights can fall to single digits Celsius even in spring and autumn — a warm layer and a hat make the evening around the fire far more enjoyable.
What power adaptor does Morocco use?
Morocco uses the European two-pin Type C/E plugs at 220V. Bring a European adaptor; most phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage automatically.
Planning a trip?
Let a Marrakech atelier handle the details.
Tell us your dates and style and we'll send a written itinerary and a transparent quote within 24 hours.
Request an itineraryKeep reading
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best all-round windows for Morocco, and especially for the southern desert circuit around Ouarzazate — warm days over the kasbah road, cool nights in the Drâa and Dadès valleys, and dune light at its richest before the summer furnace arrives.
Culture
Morocco Etiquette & Customs
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in Morocco, and even further in the conservative Berber villages of the south. Dress modestly, greet warmly, ask before photographing people, use your right hand, and embrace the unhurried Amazigh pace of mint tea and conversation that governs life along the kasbah road.
Planning
Is Morocco Safe to Visit?
Yes — Morocco is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in North Africa for travellers, and the southern desert region around Ouarzazate is calmer still: small kasbah towns, low crime and a film-industry economy used to outsiders. The few day-to-day frictions are petty scams in the bigger-city souks, easily sidestepped.